Persons making an application for a certificate of naturalisation are required to provide satisfactory evidence of their identity and nationality. Applicants can do this by submitting Identity Documents with a predetermined point value until they reach the required score of 150 points. Please see our Citizenship Guidance Document available on our website which gives examples of possible Identity Documents with the allocated points per proof.
In rare circumstances where an applicant cannot produce their current passport, or a previous passport, birth certificate or other supporting documents the applicant will be required to provide a full explanation.
Such explanation should, where possible, be supported by satisfactory evidence that they have attempted to obtain such documentation and correspondence from the relevant authorities or embassy responsible for the issuing of passports and birth certificates in their country, clearly stating the reasons the documentation cannot be provided.
ISD will consider the explanation given and, if satisfied it is for reasons genuinely beyond the applicant’s control, may suggest alternative means to the person to assist in establishing their identity and nationality.
Applicants should not send applications unless the form is fully completed and accompanied with application fee and all the required supporting documents.
From 1 January 2022, new applicants for citizenship will not be required to submit their original passport with the initial application. Instead, they can provide a full colour copy of their entire passport, and all previous passports containing stamps that contribute to your period of reckonable residency claimed, including the front and back covers. The colour copy must be certified and submitted with the application form. Further detailed guidance on this new process is included in the guidance notes accompanying the application form. The Minister reserves the right to request original passports from applicants at any stage in the process.